basic do's and dont's on tx

ok, here goes.
acrylic nails (vanity---thy name is woman; yes i have them!!)
should I stop??

tattoos:  a fellow young male patient on tx actually got a tattoo while on tx.  (even i thought this strange)  but since i do have tattoo;  how often is hep c caused by them??

where else can it come from?  when my husband was diagnosed, i was not tested.  my fam doc said pretty rare to be transferred this way.  we never used intravenus drugs.  did use recreational drugs in 80's (coke - sharing dollar bills and straws with others) ((i know---eeeeeew))

some people here seem to know they've had it loooong time...a woman can pass on to child thru birth???  should my kids be checked???? 17, 14, and 11...

my concerns may seem more basic than technical (some threads i read here totally blow me away - was never any good in science)
but i am learning some technicalities.

thanks for any answers/advise from all you wise and caring folk out there.
<3 michelle  (btw: <3 is a sideways heart - my 11yr old taught me that)

[snook_man]

the chances of passing HCV through childbirth are slim, but still possible.
I am 27 years old and contracted it from my mother during labor. Well, the Dr's believe this was when I contracted it, as I also have moderate fibrosis.
It is always a good idea to have children checked, as they can get it through sharing toothbrushes and razors..

[Califia]

Tattoos are a real risk factor.  What percentage of them causes viral transmission I don't really know.   Anyone?

And acrylics--well, this might be a matter of controversy, but I personally would stay very far away from chemical exposure while on tx.  To even sit for an hour or two in an acetone-soaked environment does not sound like a very health-promoting thing to do.   A big issue for women on tx is   our appearance falling apart--oh let me count the ways--and there's just no getting around it.   But I can see how acrylic nails might come in very handy during episodes of riba rage.  Meowrrrrrr!

[OLDTIFF]

IF LIKE MANY AND GET FUNGAL INFECTIONS ON TX.......JUST THINK WHAT COULD GROW UNDER THOSE NAILS.........JUST SOME THOUGHTS....


TIFF

[Tallblonde]

You should absolutely stop going to nail salons.  It's a great place to GET and TRANSMIT hepatitis C.  Please read below.

Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology’s 57th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, dermatologist Shelley A. Sekula, MD, Chairman, Legislation Committee, Texas Dermatological Society, discussed potential health risks to hair and nail salon customers and suggested modifying current cosmetology and barbering industry regulations.

Before AIDS and hepatitis became household names, the cosmetology and barbering industry were under little scrutiny as risks for spreading infectious diseases. However, since the 1980s, an epidemic of bloodborne diseases has forced a reexamination of the beauty industry.

Based on her experience in Texas, it is Dr. Sekula’s belief that legislators and public health officials need to look seriously at the risks that threaten both clients and operators of the beauty industry. "Poorly trained technicians using dirty instruments are a cause of great concern for consumers," said Dr. Sekula.

The health risks associated with the beauty industry include viral infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and warts; bacterial infections such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, and psuedomonas; fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, nail fungus and yeast; reactions to nail, hair and facial products such as hand eczema, eyelid dermatitis, chemical burns, and loss of hair or nails; toxicity from acrylic and lacquer fumes; inappropriate use of chemical peeling solutions; and the delayed diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and other skin diseases because of failure to refer clients.

[gr8faith]

Wow, thanks for that info.  I have been thinking of getting my nails done. NOT.  Yuck, yuck, yuck is all I can say.

I have a question too.... has anyone had their tongue get sore?  I have read threads about mouth sores, which other than a canker sore starting to flare up I haven't had any.  But, my tongue, all along the outer edge/tip is sore as all get out.  Happened a week or two ago for about 4 days, then went away.  It's back! Anyone else had this?

Can't imagine getting a tatoo on tx.

[genedog]

i get my nails done at the vet

[layla]

Everyone in the family should be tested. While HCV is not easily trasmitted from childbirth or sex it does happen. I am very surprised your doc did not tell you to get tested. LL

[chellski]

i realize ur more mature at 27 than a 17 yr old; but did u ever get angry w/mom?  my daughter is still not dealing well w/dad's death and is very angry(scared) now that i've contracted hep-c.
i know i have to get their testing done, but just curious.
thanks
<3 michelle

[Docsgold]

I got the same symptoms you described while on tx.  It came and went and I had to be careful of spicy foods.  Early on tx, my gums began to bleed and eating chips punctured my gums causing infections.  I got a perscription mouthwash from my dentist(chlorohexadine gluconate) and used biotene toothpaste which helped with the bleeding gums and it cleared up in about 6 weeks.  The tongue soreness came and went.  
The hygenist found more than usual plaque build-up this last dental cleaning which is unusual for me. Haha, they told me to incease my water intake.  She also told me she had other patients who contracted HCV from tattooes (permanent make-up).  Hope this helps.

[chellski]

what about dental work??? have you all held off during tx?

[bluepeng]

I don't have nails.

[cuteus]

you are putting all those poodles at risK!!

[chellski]

my nails are off - im done w/acryllics.
thanks

[bon_vivant]

Hi lmichelle,
I hadn't previously noticed that we were so close on shot schedule (we are only a few days apart) although this isn't my first round.

I wore acrylic nails for about 10 years straight before my diagnosis... have only wore them 1 time since for a special occasion. (but purchased my own tools, & the girl that I always went to actually came to my home & did them) I also had her remove them right afterwards!

I think my real nails are a lot happier now though, as I hadn't realized how damaged they had sustained over the years because of them! They had become so thin, & brittle, that it has taken an entire year & 1/2 just to get strong & thick enough, to obtain any length.

As Per Tattoo's: There was a study my doc told me about last year ( I'll have to see if I can find it again) but they randomly picked 750 folks off the streets of San Francisco that sported their tattoos... (didn't matter Race, Creed, or Color) & 84% of them tested positive for HCV.  

Many people "think/thought" that sterilization of equipment was the issue, but what most didn't realize at the time was that the" ink" itself could become contaminated, & that the HCV could live in the ink for up to 2 weeks.... so it is important to use disposable Ink Vials too!

:)

[terriri]

About nail salons

[chellski]

thanks 4 ur comments.  I hear u about the nail salons as opposed to tattoo parlors or iv drug users.  It's what i think makes it embarrassing to admit to hep-c like hiv; ur put into a catagory right away. Terriri, ur right there are probably more women spreading this disease than people know.  There definitely needs to be more "awareness" campaigns for hep-c; also so fondly known as the dragon.  (I feel an urge to write to Oprah!)  

[bon_vivant]

You'll probably never see this down here... but I was looking for a post from don... & I stumbled across this thread... & I just had a HORRIBLE back-flash about something.....

Back in 1994 I was getting all dolled up for a Company Christmas Party.... I left the nail salon, & went over to the shoe store to pick up a pair of shoes that I had dyed to match my dress.... the lady was busy & told me to get them off of the self myself... & when I did... I somehow Jammed My Nail right into the self & it broke off down below the quick & I was Bleeding everywhere... & I had to go back to the nail salon, whom told me it was too deep & that they couldn't fix it before my party..... well I had a little hissy fit... & they wound up super glueing my skin so I would stop bleeding.... & then re-did the acrylic.... & burned like all get out....

Back then I had NO IDEA I had hep C.....
Now I am thinking... My God... think about them sanding that literally bloody acrylic... Lord only knows IF I caused somebody else to become infected...

That's an aweful thought, & it bugs me to think that I may have unknowingly did that to someone.... Heck for that matter... I may have actually gotten it from one of those places... I mean.. WHO Really Knows!!!